Despite Weekend Shootings, McCarthy Says Strategies ‘Clearly Working’

Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy says every major city must deal with rising crime in summer, when temperatures get hotter. (Credit: CBS)

CHICAGO (STMW) — Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy said Monday that his crime-fighting strategies are “clearly working,” even though he was “disappointed” at the number of shootings across the city during the long July 4th weekend.

“There’s still an unacceptable amount of violence in this city,” McCarthy said, speaking to reporters at Seventh District headquarters in Englewood.The Chicago Sun-Times tallied a total of 38 separate shooting incidents from Wednesday evening through Sunday afternoon, including 10 homicides.

McCarthy defended his policies, saying there’s been a 25 percent reduction in shootings from last year, and a 29 percent drop in the murder rate.

He said, as he often does at press briefings, that tougher penalties for those illegally possessing a firearm would help reduce the violence.

McCarthy also said Mayor Rahm Emanuel continues to back him.

“I’m absolutely positive that I enjoy the mayor’s confidence,” McCarthy said. “He wants to know what’s going on, just like I want to know.”